Court orders Status Quo in e-Citibiz contract breach suit against interior ministry

The Federal High Court in Abuja has intervened in a legal dispute between Anchor Dataware Solutions Limited and the Federal Ministry of Interior, issuing an order for all parties to maintain the status quo.

The order, delivered by Justice Emeka Nwite on Monday, pertains to an alleged breach of contract concerning the management of the e-Citibiz platform, a system that automates critical government processes such as expatriate quotas, business permits, citizenship administration, and marriage registration.

The Attorney General of the Federation and the Federal Republic of Nigeria are also named as defendants in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/770/2025.

Anchor Dataware initiated the legal action to challenge what it claims was the wrongful termination of its Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement with the Ministry of Interior. The company is seeking a court declaration affirming the continued validity of the PPP agreement.

Additionally, Anchor Data ware is asking the court to declare the termination of its services, communicated via a letter dated April 15, 2025, as unlawful and a breach of the agreed-upon contract terms.

In its prayers before the court, Anchor Dataware is also seeking an injunction to prevent the Ministry of Interior from engaging another service provider for the e-Citibiz platform without first adhering to Clause 13.1 of their agreement, which stipulates a mandatory three-month notice period for termination.

Furthermore, the company is claiming ₦20 million in damages as a result of the alleged unlawful termination.

During Monday’s court hearing, the plaintiff’s counsel, AO Amagwula, informed the court that the defendants had filed a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case.

Counsel for the defendants, Abiola Olawole, confirmed the filing of a memorandum of conditional appearance and a notice of preliminary objection, stating that these documents had been duly served on the plaintiff.

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Mr. Olawole also noted that the plaintiff had subsequently filed a counter-affidavit, to which he required time to prepare a response. Consequently, he requested an adjournment to allow for the preparation of further necessary documents.

While Mr. Amagwula did not oppose the requested adjournment, he urged the court to issue an order mandating all parties to maintain the status quo, arguing that such an order was necessary to protect the subject matter of the case of e-Citibiz platform  and prevent any actions that could prejudice the outcome.

Justice Emeka Nwite, in his ruling on the matter, emphasized the court’s role in ensuring justice and stated that it was imperative for all parties involved to refrain from taking any actions that could potentially affect the ongoing legal proceedings. “This is a court of record. Parties must stay action on all related issues pending the hearing,” Justice Nwite declared.

Counsel for the defendants, Mr. Olawole, assured the court of their full compliance with the order, stating that they had “submitted to the temple of justice.”

Following these submissions and the court’s order, Justice Nwite adjourned the case to June 3, 2025, for the hearing of the substantive matter and the preliminary objection.